12 Steps to Wedding-Worthy Nails

Nicole Hill
There's a reason your nails look so good when a pro does them. It's not just the tools they use, but how they use them that makes all the difference.
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Photo-Worthy Digits

Nicole Hill

Get your finger tips camera-ready yourself with these expert-approved tips for a lasting, smudge-free DIY manicure.

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The Right Cut

Bryan Gardner

Snipping nails with scissors results in a Picasso amount of crazy angles. Instead, make one linear cut, says Beth Fricke, a manicurist in Los Angeles. Try Denco Straight Cut Toenail Clipper (drugstore.com).

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File Away

Bryan Gardner

Enlist a 220 grit file to smooth the sides, always in the same direction. We like Tweezerman Premium Emery Board.

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Exfoliate Dead Skin

Bryan Gardner

Never cut cuticles—you're practically asking for an infection! Rather, dab on Be Natural Cuticle Eliminator to exfoliate dead skin safely (sallybeauty.com).

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Lift Polish

Bryan Gardner

Lift polish and debris with Zoya's Remove Plus, a fave of Sue Nam, a manicurist in New York City. It's mild but doesn't contain aloe, which can affect polish adhesion.

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Proper Cleaning

Bryan Gardner

An orangewood stick wrapped with cotton and dipped in alcohol is an always-sanitized tool for gently nudging cuticles and removing wayward lacquer.

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Buff Up

Bryan Gardner

Slice cubes off of All Season's Fine Grit Yellow Finishing Block to buff every time with a clean, never-dull surface (sallybeauty.com).

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Pump Up the Base

Bryan Gardner

Protect with Essie Sensitivity Base Coat before your color (available at salons).

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Top it Off

Bryan Gardner

Seal polish and add shine with Seche Vite Top Coat (sallybeauty.com).

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Drip-Dry Trick

Bryan Gardner

Flash-dry by dripping OPI Avoplex Nail & Cuticle Replenishing Oil onto wet enamel.

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3 Quick Fixes

Gabrielle Revere

Know how to handle these little imperfections if they pop up:


Peeling and Weakness: Genetics, water exposure, and low-protein diets can make nails wimpy. Wear gloves when doing dishes and eat a well-rounded diet to fill nutritional gaps.


Ragged Edges: Nipping the cuticle can permanently damage the matrix (where the nail grows from). Just push instead. Hangnail? Snip it, then swab on alcohol and ointment.


Discoloration: A hit to your matrix shows up as harmless white dots, while dyes in dark polish and selftanner yellow nails. Sweep nails with remover after a faux-glow.

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